CLEVELAND – The worst part of Nate Robinson’s disgraceful attempt at a ridiculous trick-shot dunk in Cleveland Wednesday was not getting it afterward in the locker room. In one of the worst moments in Knick history, Robinson had made a steal with an easy path for a breakaway bucket. Instead, Robinson tried to bounce the ball off the court so he can leap up and slam it down and be on the ESPN highlight shows.

Problem is, he embarrassed himself and all the young kids who root for him. Robinson took two steps and got a travel. Hopefully, young kids who play basketball were asleep.

Afterward, I asked Robinson, “what were you trying to do? “What do you mean,” he looked at me quizzically. “I was trying to dunk.”

No, Nate, you were trying to show off and it was a disgrace. Isiah Thomas looks at Robinson as his point guard of the future, not Stephon Marbury. That’s the most depressing part of it.

Robinson has a great heart on the court but Isiah Thomas has to get that showboat out of him. Robinson has to save that stuff for All-Star Weekend’s dunk contest.

Robinson seemed surprised to learn Thomas had told reporters that he won’t allow Nate to try that play again.

Robinson’s concession? He’ll only try it when the team is up 20 points. Really? That’s just as bad. Rubbing salt in the wound of a beaten opponent.

For all the energy he brings, Robinson still shows he has a long way to go before becoming a sportsman. He is 5-71/2 but looked a lot smaller than that Wednesday night.